That was heading into the LA area, imagine getting out. No disrespect towards those that live there but you could not pay me enough to live in that place. There is 18 million people in the greater LA area. That is almost 5 times the amount of people than in my entire state. No thanks. i could not imagine living like a caged rat.

I drive a piece of that interstate nearly everyday for work, from SR79 Beaumont Ave to Hargrave. I have seen some real crazy things happen on that stretch and it is one the most heavily patrolled stretches of freeway in the whole state by CHP.

I have seen that area closed due to snow, Memorial Day and (various 3 day holidays) traffic in the summer. Traffic was so bad a few times that it was backed up from the Banning to the 215/60 interchange in Moreno Valley (Westbound)because of returning holiday traffic from the river and places due east.

SHTF scenario and I'll be going overland and avoiding the interstate. If Kalifornia was smart, they would use what was used in Hawaii when I lived there. They used a method called, "Contra-flow." On Kauai the main 4 lane road is coned off creating 3 east bound and 1 westbound to help morning rush traffic. The method is reversed in the evening. Logistically it would be a nightmare by if millions were attempting to flee, this would be an option. Close off west bound on ramps ONLY for east bound traffic, DOUBLING capacity, using both east and west bound lanes for east bound traffic.

Meanwhile, I'll be chugging along the back roads and trails in a M1009 with a secondary fuel tank and looking like somebody on a mission to gtfo of Dodge.

Several yrs ago when a 'cane shut down the bases along the East coast my son hit the "super slab" for a normal 4 hour trip back home. 27 hours later he rolled in. The interstate had been a parking lot for two states. He had sent his family back early in the week and were worried sick about him. I asked why he did not hit the back roads as he has been raised to think for himself. He said he kept thinking it would open soon---but it didn't. I have county maps for probably twenty counties surrounding us and topos of about the same. One should have several alternate routes of travel planned and practiced. There may not be any lighting available when the time comes.

A very good reason to NOT live in a heavily congested area, if you can help it!
My city is the state capital, but I still have several routes out on both pavement and dirt. I have test driven/ridden them all.

If, a large earthquake with incoming sunomie was coming, getting out of L.A. would be an almost inpossible nightmare . Not a good place to be in any condition.

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LA, Washington D.C., San Fransisco, New York, Chicago, New Orleans, hell even Houston are going to be nightmares if a mass exodus happens. I have resided in, driven in, and hated every one of those cities, except D.C. I visited D.C. when I was on leave, stayed with my cousin in VA. The trip in and out each day we went was a nightmare of traffic.

Really, I agree with Nadja it will be a nightmare. However, it is going to take a huge event, like a real pandemic panic (like half a million folks die over a few days from some uber disease spreading like wildfire), threat of nuke strike, tsunami, earthquake, hurricane, flood, or firestorm to cause a mass exodus. Most people just are not aware and something like a sudden economic collapse or EMP/Grid down have their own scenarios that will play out. YMMV. Heck during the Katrina exodus in the Houston area some folks were literally stranded on the highway for 24 or more hours. No food, no water, no facilities (yuck). The very thought of being stuck in a car on an elevated highway, in gridlocked traffic, when a hurricane strikes is enough to give me the hebbie jeebies.

Those with the wisdom to get out of dodge early, or have already gotten out of dodge will be the fortunate ones.

Add metropolitan Boston to the nightmare of BO. Rt128 is horrendous at the best of times.

Live paranoia trumps dead bravado, every time. (Why I carry.)
Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius."For when we come home, either standing or dead,to know you remember we fought and we bledis payment enough, and with that we will trust.That we mattered to you as you mattered to us." Standing Guard : by Michael Marks

We lived in Southern California for work from 2006 through August of last year, I drive all over for work and can attest to just how horrible those roads are- even without any accidents on normal days. My vote for the most miserable stretch of road would be the 91 freeway west of 15. We are in Michigan now and get a kick out of when people complain about traffic here.

The really bad part out there is that back-roads aren't an option very often because streets have a tendency to just stop at a valley and start again on the other side. Before moving I remember coming back from the airport when a semi- trailer got stuck under an overpass (north-bound on 15 from San Diego). A trip that normally took about 45 minutes (to Temecula) turned into 6 hours. EVERY side street and alternate highway was backed up- and this was just normal evening rush-hour traffic. I can't imagine the chaos that would ensue if/when something big happens.

We lived in Southern California for work from 2006 through August of last year, I drive all over for work and can attest to just how horrible those roads are- even without any accidents on normal days. My vote for the most miserable stretch of road would be the 91 freeway west of 15. We are in Michigan now and get a kick out of when people complain about traffic here.

The really bad part out there is that back-roads aren't an option very often because streets have a tendency to just stop at a valley and start again on the other side. Before moving I remember coming back from the airport when a semi- trailer got stuck under an overpass (north-bound on 15 from San Diego). A trip that normally took about 45 minutes (to Temecula) turned into 6 hours. EVERY side street and alternate highway was backed up- and this was just normal evening rush-hour traffic. I can't imagine the chaos that would ensue if/when something big happens.

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This is a good lesson to us all to always carry some type of gear in your car that would allow you to "get by" for 24 hours if you get stuck on the road.

This is a good lesson to us all to always carry some type of gear in your car that would allow you to "get by" for 24 hours if you get stuck on the road.

For example (mine):

food

water

Rx meds** (a must)

TP

100 hr candle (for light/heat) + light sticks + firestarter

big @$$ knife

kid junk if you have little ones.

.45 / Mossberg 500 Cruiser / ammo

binocs

I have all of this in a backpack that is way too heavy.

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The one item I was most grateful for having was an empty Gatorade bottle...

Where 15N merges with 163, it's 8 or 9 lanes wide (yes, 8 or 9 lanes just going north) I was trapped in the 6 or 7th lane barely inching along for hours. This is the reason I NEVER take the express lanes, one flat tire or fender-bender and you are trapped with no way out but forward. I have never felt such sharp stabbing pains from my bladder before.

Now I always keep a bag in my car and finally convinced my wife to do the same. Spare clothes, thick blanket, empty bottle, etc).

Several yrs ago when a 'cane shut down the bases along the East coast my son hit the "super slab" for a normal 4 hour trip back home. 27 hours later he rolled in. The interstate had been a parking lot for two states. He had sent his family back early in the week and were worried sick about him. I asked why he did not hit the back roads as he has been raised to think for himself. He said he kept thinking it would open soon---but it didn't. I have county maps for probably twenty counties surrounding us and topos of about the same. One should have several alternate routes of travel planned and practiced. There may not be any lighting available when the time comes.

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thats good thinking. where could i get good/reliable topo maps of my area?

Past tense, got out when a job opportunity came up elsewhere. The North Shore is kinda nice when the tourists aren't around, but 128 is bad all year. I lived in Ipswich for several years while working in Framingham, and North Reading for a few more working in Wakefield. (Rt 3 sucks during commuting hours, not too bad late at night and Sunday mornings. Don't ask.)

Live paranoia trumps dead bravado, every time. (Why I carry.)
Caedite eos. Novit enim Dominus qui sunt eius."For when we come home, either standing or dead,to know you remember we fought and we bledis payment enough, and with that we will trust.That we mattered to you as you mattered to us." Standing Guard : by Michael Marks

This is a good lesson to us all to always carry some type of gear in your car that would allow you to "get by" for 24 hours if you get stuck on the road.

For example (mine):

food

water

Rx meds** (a must)

TP

100 hr candle (for light/heat) + light sticks + firestarter

big @$$ knife

kid junk if you have little ones.

.45 / Mossberg 500 Cruiser / ammo

binocs

I have all of this in a backpack that is way too heavy.

Click to expand...

You might consider ditching the Mossburg for a short carbine like a HiPoint or the like . Ammo is cheaper, lighter, and easily out ranges shotties. A cheper AK with a folding stock is very compact and even in it's worst form still a great weapon. SKS and stripper clips works well too. JMHU